resolutions....

what will it be this year!!??

I'm pretty sure last year I decided not to set a resolution b/c I had too many intentions to just pick one.....or three!

I seem to set an intention or resolution everyday....even many times throughout the day.

breathe

be kind

be understanding

be humble

be sympathetic

be generous

be patient

be love

be light

Just a few of the things I am striving for...........

What do you see coming in this new year?

Jan 1 I start school!! It's been a while since I've done that but I am super excited for it!!

Nutrition is a great passion of mine and I am really doing this to further my understanding of the possibilities & role of food. I have seen a huge difference in myself with changes in my diet and lifestyle and like everything else I would love to share that.

You thought I spoke about health a lot before.....just wait!!

Above all else I want to wish everyone and everything a full of life new year!

Have fun, be safe, and always remind yourself of all the blessings you wake up to every morning.

C'est la vie 2011

xoxoxo

EBB & FLOW

Ebb & Flow

One of my delights in life is to create sound-scapes for my yoga classes.

It's amazing how the music you offer can make such a difference in the vibe of the class.

I tend to play fun and inspiring music when I teach a vinyasa class and soothing simple music when I teach a restorative class.

These are some of my favorite artists.....

Boozoo Bajou

A melodic and fluid sound with background rhythm. Perfect for escaping into a flow practice or melting into you mat for a restorative practice.

Michael Franti

A fun and up beat vibe!

He exudes playful exploration.

WAH!

A mix of mantra and song.....I am addicted to her song Parashakti.

Thievery Corporation

A beat mix that is chill and fluid. It's energizing and relaxing at the same time!

Ben Harper

Always a favorite in and out of the studio.

Most importantly......get creative!!

It's fun to create a world inside of the studio whether you are practicing yoga, dancing, or spinning(not yet!!).

Let me know if you have any suggestions.....I am always looking to expand my music library.

peace & great vibes!

xoxo

2012...here we come!

Can you believe the holidays have almost passed us by? It's been a wonderful and FULL few weeks. I look forward to the celebration of the coming year.

2011 was quite the challenge for most people. It seems that 2012 will bring a sigh of relief and/or the inspiration to re-fill our positivity banks!! This year begins with a huge agenda. For me....I feel as though we as the human race are embarking into new territory on so many levels.

We have so much calamity and craziness going on that we need to focus back onto what really matters. This is the question that tends to change depending on where we are and what we see in our daily lives.

Personally....I strive to keep the same few themes constant in my life.

-living a kind life

-keeping peace

- abundant health

-giving to others

-taking care of my family

-BALANCE

I better get started!!!

Above all else.....I hope to inspire and give to others the passion that I feel for our sacred Earth, the miracle of movement, and the blessings of food.

We all have the intelligence to live with these conscious morals.....sometimes we just need to be reminded and constantly inspired!!

I wish everyone and everything peace and light for this year and allways.

....................................................................................................................................

A few pics from the weeks past......

Buddy Miles Davis

JJ GREY @ Bamboo Room  

one of the greatest shows ever.....

a true genius and humble guy.....

one of those people you want to call

your friend!!

My Morning Jacket         

                                                         

    YES.....we did!!!

                                                     

Happy Birthday to Daryl!!

more pics and my skydiving video coming soon!!

What adventure will this new year bring?!

Any ideas?

What can you add to your bucket list of life?

another gift guide!

As if we all haven't had a million of these show up in our inbox in the past month! Here is one that may show you a few new and exciting ways and things to give for the holidays.

ORGANIC Fruit of the Month Club!

An amazingly affordable way to give a greatly healthy gift!

............................................................................................

How about a local cooking class?!

Being here in Palm Beach County we have some great options.

One that I have recently attended is the 

Raw Vegan Gourmet.

ask for Dina!

............................................................................................

Tickets to a museum or art exhibit.

It's always fun to get out, do something within your community, and not worry about paying for it!

...............................................................................................

A great site full of awesome gift ideas is

giftinggrace.com

check it out!!

....................................................................................................

Whatever you decide to give as a gift this year, whether it is a car or a donation!......it is always the thought and love that is behind it that matters most.

My favorite gifts are always those that are home-made or ones that serve as a donation for someone else.

In the spirit of giving.....wishing you a great day!

Namaste.

xoxo

stop being so lazy

Celebrate Day Without A Bag THIS THURSDAY!

DECEMBER 12 2011 | RISE ABOVE PLASTICS,
BY BILL HICKMAN

A Day Without a Bag is an educational grassroots event started by Heal the Bay in Los Angeles and hosted by Surfrider Foundation Chapters along with local community groups throughout the country.  Held the third Thursday in December, we ask holiday shoppers and retailers to forgo single-use, plastic shopping bags in favor of reusable bags.  Celebrate by remembering your reusable bags and if you happen to have a few extra ones, give them away to a friend or stranger to show your commitment to a clean ocean!

WHY DOES DAY WITHOUT A BAG EXIST?
The impact of single-use plastic bags in our communities is costly to retailers, taxpayers and the environment. Partnerships with retailers, community and civic groups help us educate our individuals with an important message about the harmful impact of single-use plastic bags.  This is the fifth annual Day Without a Bag that started locally by Heal The Bay in Los Angeles and continues to grow with the help of the Surfrider Foundation, other organizations and retailers that embrace the idea.  This year there will be reusable bag giveaways throughout Southern California along with a few coastal areas in Northern California and the East Coast.

Approximately 100 billion plastic checkout bags are used in the United States each year according to the EPA, which works out to be an average of approximately 300 bags per man, woman and child. Disposable bags cost our fiscally strained cities for disposal and cleanup. Plastic bags are typically made from a non-renewable resource, petroleum or natural gas.  Both are non-renewable resources that are environmentally destructive, create more greenhouse gases, and increase our dependency on non-renewable resources.

Even though plastic bags and food containers are designed to be “disposable,” and used for seconds or minutes, plastic lasts hundreds of years or longer in the environment without biodegrading. Most of the plastic that ever was…is still here.

Recycling cannot fix the problem: Plastic bags are often not economically efficient to recycle, and this toxic trash is often shipped to developing countries (most estimates show under 10% of plastic bags are recycled).  Once discarded, plastic bags either enter our landfills or our watersheds. In contrast to plastic bags, a single reusable bag has the potential to eliminate hundreds of plastic bags over its lifetime.
Additionally, all plastic products that enter our marine environment eventually break down into small fragments rather than truly biodegrading. In some parts of the Northern Pacific Ocean, studies have shown there is six times as much plastic by mass than there is plankton.

The impact of plastic on the marine environment and our communities is significant and we have the option to dramatically reduce the use of plastic bags—why not make every day, A Day Without a Bag?

I always try to have one of those fold up bags in my purse....or two! It's a habit worth creating. This alone will make a huge difference in the future of our environment and the consciousness of our daily lives. Everything we do and create and consume greatly impacts the world at large. If not today then definitely the future generations will feel the effects of our actions.

World of Bags has an amazing array of bags to choose from. You can always pick some up at any grocery store. Or....look for other items like clothing or handbags that come packaged in reusable bags. There is always a way to keep it out of the trash.

xoxo

sugar plums

Buddy Miles & our X-mas tree!!

We may need just a few more ornaments......riiiiight.

He needs an agent!!

Last weekends ride.

My most recent creations waiting to be fired in the kiln.

................................................................................................

The holidays are such a great adventure. I am blessed to have always felt this way. I only wish peace for everyone this holiday season. There are so many unbelievable circumstances happening everyday. My mothers uncle, Isaac, recently passed and I only hope he is now at peace. My thoughts and love are with him and with all who care for him. 

Our lives are so full and they sprint by us everyday. My intention is to take a breath and really see where I am, Honor my family because they are amazing, and enjoy what is happening right now.

..............................................................................................

Tomorrow, Saturday, is the last full moon of the year! Whatever that means to you.....at least it will be beautiful!!

Have a fantastic weekend.

shaloooooooooooom

xoxo

Art Basel Miami 2011

Art Basel 2011

I think that almost everyone has at least heard of this infamous art exhibit. Marisa & I were lucky enough to be gifted a pair of tickets! It was a beautiful and colorful display of art and "art". These are just a few of some that tickled my fancy!

     

My Favorite!

( not intended to be interactive.....oops!!)

( all cut out paper)

You can't go wrong with an evening in South Beach....especially with your sister/best friend an evening of exquisite art and the Fountaine Bleau.

Cheers!

.................................................................................

I am having a great time with my iphone apps.....never thought the day would come!

Who needs a camera?!

.............................................................................................................

Today is Daryls Birthday!!!!

26 fabulous years he has added amazing love and humor to our lives. We are celebrating this weekend and I can't wait!

Love you bro

xoxoxo

Monday Fun-day

Monday!!

Why is it always the most painful experience peeling myself out of bed Monday morning? It's amazing how it doesn't take long to get out of the habit of rising early. I wouldn't say I am a morning person, but, I do love starting my day as early as possible.

It is officially the countdown until 2012....crazy! It will be a whirlwind of family friends & food for the next month. I love it!! What is scary to me is the madness of the retail world this time of year. I am a huge proponent of online shopping....convenient!! What has gone so terribly wrong? People being hurt, shot, pepper sprayed all in the name of saving a few bucks. That's some scary shit.

Needless to say......I may be baking my gifts this year!!! and donating in honor of.

Post T-Day

Every year I am reminded about my most favorite meal.....Thanksgiving! Yesterday was full of delectable treats. My mother makes the most amazing cranberry sauce & vegan stuffing....thank you mom!! I tried a  new recipe myself.

FAVS

Every blog that I read has a post about their favorite things. I am jumping onto that band wagon!!

The holidays are always a time of giving and receiving.

Last year I donated money to OXFAM for a lot of the people on our list.

What will this year bring!?

Just a few ideas.......

The Corkcicle

Seems to be the perfect gift for the Wino in your life.....oh.....thats me!

uncommongoods.com

...................................................................................................

Crysanthemum Slippers

Get a little funky with at least your slippers!

vivaterra.com

..........................................................................................................

A beautiful vase!

Fill it with flowers or sweet treats!

westelm.com

..........................................................................................................

Even in Florida............

You can't go wrong with an organic scarf.

rawganique.com

......................................................................................................

Browse through the OXFAM website and see how your gifts can make a difference.

........................................................................................................

Tea!!

Who doesn't like tea? It's a great gift and encourages health.

Teavana is a great local source for all things tea. You can also look online at Art of Tea , The Tea Spot , or find a local tea house to explore!

.........................................................................................................

These are just a few of my favorite things to experience and share!!

xoxo

Mantra??

Buddy Miles Davis!

I just can't get enough of this little man.

.........................................................................................................

" One-quarter of what you eat keeps you alive. The other three-quarters keeps your doctor alive."

-Unknown

This is a scary statement but seems to be the growing truth. 

As much as I respect the medical field.....I have no interest in paying for their lifestyle!

Even though I cringe at how much money I spend at Whole Foods I like to think of it as an investment in my future. I would rather spend this money now on great food then spend it later on hospital bills. Call me crazy, which many do, but this makes total sense to me.

" He that takes medicine and neglects diet, wastes the time of his doctor."

- Ancient Chinese Proverb

So much of our quality of live lives in the food we eat. Just as important as what we put into our bodies is what we are influenced by in the rest of our lives.

The people we are surrounded by.

The exercise we do.

The music we listen to.

BALANCE

The ever pulsing energy around us.....do we vibrate at a high level.....or low?

Are we energetic or tired?

Are we joyful or somber?

Are we motivated or lazy?

These are questions I have asked myself time & time again. Always checking back in to where the energy lies. There will always be an ebb & flow, but, how do we keep ourselves in a mostly state of grace?

I find that reminding myself to be gracious with every situation is my key to success. As I remind my yoga students all of the time.....show up...no expectations....no judgement. Just go with the flow!

This has become my mantra.

Let Go!!!

What keeps you centered? Balanced? Do you have a go-to Mantra?

Practice and all is coming!!

- Sri K Patabhi Jois

bREAK yOGA

WATCH THIS NOW!!!

CLICK HERE

A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!

Immuni- tea

There is a blog that I love by

Barbara Mendez.

Rootsandseeds.com

She has a new offering called Motivational Mondays.

Mondays motivational video was about the benefits of lemon and ginger in our diets.

I try to drink warm lemon water every morning & always eat the pickled ginger on my sushi plate!

Of course there is always a better way to get the benefits of something so yummy than eating it once in a while.

Since the season is changing and everyone seems to have a sniffle....I wanted to share this immune booster.

Immuni-tea!!

Super simple and tasty.

Warm water

chopped ginger = anti-inflammatory

lemon & peel= alkaline

fresh sage = good for anything bronchial related

lemongrass root = anti fungal

let it steep......strain.....voila!

Enjoy all of these immune boosting elements or just a couple of them.

Thank you Barbara for the continued education & inspiration.
...........................................................................................................................

Forks Over Knives

This a documentary that I happened to find on Netflix.
It turns out to be a film having to with The China Study.
( on my Shelfari )

I recommend to everyone that you take an hr & a 1/2 of your time and watch this.

It is a reminder of why it is so important to lead a conscious and healthy life.

I totally subscribe to what is being communicated in this film and would love for everyone to at least have this knowledge.
Do with it what you will.
................................................................................................................................................

peace & light

Have a beautiful weekend!!

xoxo